Viva's legacy of movie theme songs

In 1981, Viva Films made its official bow as an entertainment outfit with the release of the romantic drama P.S. I Love You. Lead star Sharon Cuneta sang the theme song written by the award-winning composer George Canseco, who also did the motion picture score. Nearly 30 years later, Now That You’re Gone, a composition by Sharon was tapped to be the theme for the movie No Other Woman. The tradition of the Viva theme song has come full circle.

Just as P.S. I Love You broke box-office records, No Other Woman starring Anne Curtis, Derek Ramsey and Cristine Reyes became the biggest-grossing Filipino movie to date. And as it was before, in the heart of Viva’s success is the movie theme song. There have been many and there will be more to come. The many types of films produced by Viva have resulted in a just as varied line-up of songs. Written for many memorable films, these works have come to define the Viva music legacy and are now among the most popular Filipino songs of all time.

Canseco’s dramatic style gave birth to Sinasamba Kita with Rey Valera, Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan, Paano Ba Ang Mangarap, Saan Darating Ang Umaga, Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Nakaraan, Hiram from Palimos Ng Pag-ibig and Ikaw, a collaboration with Louie Ocampo, who would later write You Are My Song with Martin Nievera for Wanted Perfect Mother starring Regine Velasquez and Christopher de Leon.

Willy Cruz, influenced by the romantic classics, provided the perfect music for the Viva melodrama. Best known among these are the films, which are now known as the Sharon Cuneta Trilogy.Cruz scored the movies and composed the enduring themes, Pangarap Na Bituin for Bukas Luluhod Ang Mga Tala, Bituing Walang Ningning and what has come to be known as the Viva theme, Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas.

Ever the innovator, Viva changed the sound of the Filipino movie theme when it got young composer Odette Quesada to write for films and in the process created hit songs. To Love Again for Sharon in the movie of the same title; Growing Up for Gary Valenciano to sing in the landmark youth film Bagets; Farewell for Raymond Lauchengco in the Bagets soundtrack.

In 1981, Viva Films was launched via the romantic drama P.S. I Love You, with lead star Sharon Cuneta (right) singing the theme song written by George Canseco. Nearly 30 years later, Now That You’re Gone, a composition by Sharon was tapped to be the theme for No Other Woman.

Viva rocked with the music of Freddie Aguilar in Estudyante Blues and the Juan de la Cruz Band in Titser’s Enemi Number 1. It was also Viva that took in a young upstart disco DJ named Andrew E and turned him into a huge box-office star with rapping movie themes, Humanap Ka Ng Panget, Alabang Girls and others.

And who can forget Vehnee Saturno with his moving Isang Lahi for Gabi Na Kumander and Kahit Konting Awa for The Flor Contemplacion Story; the hits of Valera as sang by Sharon in Maging Sino Ka Man, Pangako Sa ‘Yo and Kung Kailangan Mo Ako; and how singer-comedian Ogie Alcasid created Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw, Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka, Ikaw Lamang Hanggang Ngayon, among others. 

Then just as there were songs, there were also the artists who ably brought these to life for the movies. A Sharon film is seldom without a theme that she herself recorded. There were even times when she sang a future classic for other films as in the case of Mahawi Man Ang Ulap and Init Sa Magdamag. It was the same case with Regine whose every picture from Pik Pak Boom to Till I Met You has included a memorable theme song.

Continuing the legacy is Sarah Geronimo whose covers of foreign hits, You Changed My Life, A Very Special Love, Fallin’ for her films have resulted in a new, interesting addition to the Viva legacy of movie theme songs.

And when the star of the picture lacks the vocal gifts of Sharon, Regine or Sarah, there are other great singers who never fail to live up to the Viva hit standard. Foremost among them is Basil Valdez whose list of hits composed by Canseco easily conjures up images from Viva movies Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan, Paano Ba Ang Mangarap, Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Nakaraan, Muling Buksan Ang Puso, Buksan from Saan Nagtatago Ang Pag-ibig... and the list goes on.